18
THE DAVEY BULLETIN
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November/December 2023
Thirty-four employees from Arborguard Tree Specialists,
a Davey company's Atlanta office attended a Factors and
Forces training at the Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta,
Georgia. The training focused on how tree biology can
affect the structural integrity of the tree. The "five factors"
and the "five forces" are used to examine the health and
strength of a tree to determine if climbing or working on
it is a safe choice.
The course lasted two days, and was taught by the Davey
Institute's Dr. R.J. Laverne, manager, education and training;
Alex Julius, employee development and safety training
ARBORGUARD ATLANTA OFFICE LEARNS FACTORS AND FORCES
specialist; and Tim Bushnell, arborist skills specialist.
Attendee Don Price, trimmer, felt the training taught him and
his teammates how to be more effective, efficient, and safe
when preparing to climb trees.
"I think everybody learned something from the training,"
Price said. "The instructors were able to explain things in
a way that made it easy to understand."
LEADERSHIP
Arborguard Atlanta office employees and Factors and Forces
instructors are holding up the "5 factors and forces" gloves
awarded upon completion of the training.
A two and a half day arborist skills
ascending and descending module for
trainees from the Canton, Cincinnati,
Columbus, East Cleveland, East
Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, North
Pittsburgh, South Pittsburgh, West
Cleveland, West Columbus, and
Youngstown Residential/Commercial
services offices took place at Plum
Creek Park in Kent, Ohio.
The training included discussions
on climbing safety, techniques, and
the industry's best practices with
hands-on climbing technique practice.
One of a three-part series, the training
modules are held with the intention
ADVANCED ARBORIST TRAINING CLIMBING MODULE
Roy Wonner, trimmer, Youngstown office,
is pictured descending on a stationary rope
system at the Advanced Arborist Climbing
training. Residential/Commercial services
attendees included Rick Bates,
Chase Bush, Tyler Byrum, Mike Cassidy,
Cody Cunningham, Alex Gibbs,
John Petroski, Zach Reahm, Phil Root,
Phil Ross, Noah Satterlee, Greg Smith,
TeVaun Smitherman, Tyler Willner and
Wonner.
of helping employees stay engaged
and motivated within their roles.
TeVaun Smitherman, trimmer,
Indianapolis office, said he really
enjoyed learning the single rope
technique and has used it almost
daily since the training.
"It was cool to see how people
from other offices operate and how
they may use different climbing
techniques," Smitherman said. "It
was a good thing, and it felt like
Davey is investing in me."